Post-typhoon, people in HK join hands for clean-up

Volunteers clearing a damaged path yesterday after Typhoon Mangkhut swept through Hong Kong on Sunday. There were no reports of death, but more than 300 people were injured and over 1,000 trees were felled.PHOTO: REUTERS

In a city with a reputation for cut-throat competitive focus, residents said the storm had given them a rare opportunity for solidarity.

Hong Kong escaped without any fatalities when the storm hit on Sunday. But more than 300 people were injured as buildings were rocked, windows smashed, coastal areas pounded by towering waves and more than 1,000 trees were felled.

Mangkhut could cause about US$120 billion (S$164 billion) in damage in China and Hong Kong, said Mr Chuck Watson, a disaster modeller with Enki Research in Savannah, Georgia.

By yesterday morning, there was still extensive damage and debris across the Chinese city.

In the seafront eastern residential neighbourhood of Tseung Kwan O, around 40 local volunteers set to work. The community, stacked with tower blocks, was mauled by winds and waves which tore up roads and paths along the coastal promenade.

Teacher Simon Ng brought his two young daughters to help with the clean-up.

"I would go out here for jogging, bring my kids here to play. Now it looks like a post-war situation," Mr Ng told Agence France-Presse.

A Facebook post of ethnic African residents and asylum seekers cleaning up the city went viral, with almost a million views yesterday. PHOTO: CENTRE FOR REFUGEES

He said he hoped his children would learn about community spirit by helping out.

"I hope for them to have a sense of civic consciousness about our public places," Mr Ng said.

A Facebook post showing several ethnic African residents and asylum seekers clearing tree branches from city streets went viral with almost a million views by yesterday, prompting messages of thanks.

Refugees and asylum seekers are marginalised in Hong Kong, unable to work or even volunteer legally.

In the district of To Kwa Wan - home to many low-income families - a group of around 25 ethnic minority residents, asylum seekers and refugees helped cleaners who were overwhelmed with the amount of work.

"A lot of refugees wanted to do it because they've got no work and said 'this is our city too'," said Mr Jeff Andrews, a social worker for refugees with non-governmental organisation Christian Action, which organised the group.

Community group Fixing Hong Kong, which also operates in To Kwa Wan to help needy residents with household repairs, said it would focus on helping those who live in flimsy rooftop shelters that had been damaged.

In the seaside village of Shek O, which has a mix of local and expatriate residents, volunteers have been clearing roads, bagging up debris and taking washed-up sand in baskets back to its popular beach.

The village was pounded by fierce waves that left boats driven inland including on its famous golf course, which disappeared underwater.

Resident Jennifer Pollard said it was the worst storm she had seen in 19 years of living there. "When a crisis comes like this, it doesn't matter about language or lineage - everybody was helping," said Ms Pollard.

"Like every major event, it will blow over, but hopefully people will stay community-orientated for longer," she added.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BLOOMBERG

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 19, 2018, with the headline 'Post-typhoon, people in HK join hands for clean-up'. Print Edition | Subscribe

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